Method and apparatus for creating and exposing order status within a supply chain having disparate systems

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a method and system for creating and exposing order status within a supply chain of trading partners having disparate systems. A trading partner exchange (TPE) interfaces with each of the disparate systems and gathers information pertaining to a particular transaction. The information can be made available to an access platform through an access platform interface. Initially, a transaction is reported to the TPE where it is assigned a unique identifier. Subsequent activities pertaining to the transaction which are reported to the TPE by the trading partners can be linked to the unique identifier. By using the access platform, a customer or any trading partner can acquire the status of a particular order from the TPE.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of, and accordingly claimsthe benefit from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/896,774, nowissued U.S. Pat. No. 7,366,772, which was filed in the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office on Jun. 29, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of electronic Business(e-Business), and more particularly, to a method and apparatus forcreating and exposing order status within a supply chain havingdisparate systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

The pervasiveness of the Internet has allowed companies to exploitelectronic communications to engage in what is commonly known ase-Business activities with their customers. E-business involvesconducting business on the Internet and not only includes buying andselling goods and services, but can also include servicing customers andcollaborating with trading or business partners. To accommodate thisvast range of activities, companies utilize a variety of channels forinteracting with Web sites that offer e-Business activities.

A channel is a particular communication medium or a logical medium thatcan be used to offer a subset of activities that conglomerate to forme-Business activity. For example, a channel for providing book reviewscan be a subset of book selling activities in a book selling e-Business.Each channel can support various modes of access. For example, a bookreview channel can provide access to the book selling e-Businessactivity through Web browsers, wireless devices such as wireless accessprotocol (WAP) enabled phones and personal digital assistants (PDA's).As demand for e-Business activities increases, so does the need toprovide additional channels to accommodate a variety of e-Businessactivities.

A large number of vendor products have been developed to provideadditional channels that can accommodate a variety of e-Businessactivities. Many vendor products can support one or more limitedchannels and are typically targeted towards specialized activitieswithin a particular industry. Still, in order to diversify the number ofavailable channels, a company has to purchase, install and operatemultiple vendor application products. Diversification is eminent sinceno singular vendor product provides a complete solution capable ofsupporting all the e-Business activities within a particular industry.These vendor products have typically been developed independent of othervendors and in a piecemeal fashion to meet existing customer demand.Despite this piecemeal implementation, there is no planned support forvendor application products inter-operating with each other in a largere-Business framework which includes the full range of supportedchannels. These vendor solutions which are independently developed forsupporting different channels and which have different architectures arecalled disparate systems. Significantly, disparate systems make it verydifficult to integrate diversified e-Business solutions.

Each trading partner within an e-Business transaction chain can utilizeone or more of these disparate systems. A trading partner is a businessthat provides a specialized service. For example, in order to satisfy acustomer order for widgets, the transaction can involve trading partnerssuch as a retailer, a manufacturer, a distributor, and shippers. Sincethese trading partners are typically independent organizations, eachtrading partner can have a unique or proprietary information technology(IT) solution.

The use of disparate systems among trading partners can significantlylimit a customer's ability to track a particular transaction frominitiation of an order to the receipt of a good or service.Consequently, it can be difficult, if not impossible, for a customer ora trading partner to accurately track an order as it moves throughoutthe supply chain. While a customer may have the ability to track anorder while it is within the possession of a particular trading partner,the ability to track the order can be lost once the order passes toanother trading partner in the chain.

Furthermore, a customer is often burdened by having to utilize aplurality of channels and interfaces in order to access trackinginformation. For example, a customer might have to utilize a web browserinterface to track an order with one trading partner and then have touse a telephone to track the same order with another trading partner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a method and system for creating andexposing order status within a supply chain of trading partners havingdisparate systems. The method for exposing order status in a supplychain having disparate systems can include receiving an order initiatinga transaction from a first trading partner system. A status reported bya second trading partner system can be linked to the received order. Thefirst and second trading partner systems can be disparate systems. Thelinked status corresponding to the transaction can be reported andformatted for a particular channel.

The linking step can include receiving an identifier for the statusreported by the second trading partner. The identifier can correspond tothe transaction. The received identifier can be linked to an assignedidentifier corresponding to the transaction. In response to a queryissued across an access platform accessible by customers and tradingpartners, the reporting step can report order status information.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method for exposing order statusin a supply chain having disparate systems is provided. The method caninclude receiving at a central exchange, an initial order for atransaction from one of a plurality of trading partners having disparatesystems. The central exchange can assign a unique identifier to theinitial order. An identifier identifying an activity status from thetrading partners for a transaction related to the order can be linked tothe unique identifier. In response to a request for information,requested information can be provided to a requester based on the linkedidentifier and the unique identifier. The requested information can beformatted for communication over a selected channel, and sent to arequester.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a system forexposing order status in a supply chain having disparate systems. Thesystem can include a trading partner exchange (TPE) which can becommunicatively interfaced to multiple trading partners. The TPE canidentify an initial transaction and link corresponding trading partnertransaction status information with the initial transaction. An accessplatform communicatively linked with the TPE can facilitate formattingthe transaction status information according to a selected channelformat. An access interface communicatively linked to the TPE, canfacilitate communication with the access platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There are presently shown in the drawings embodiments of which arepresently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention isnot so limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram of an exemplary system for creatingand exposing of order status within a supply chain in accordance withthe inventive arrangements.

FIG. 2 is a high level block diagram of an exemplary access platform asshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary system detailing the creatingand exposing of order status within a supply chain in accordance withthe inventive arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a method and system for creating andexposing order status within a supply chain of trading partnersutilizing disparate systems. Disparate systems are independentlydeveloped vendor products or in-house developed systems for supportingdifferent channels and which have different architectures.Significantly, disparate systems make it very difficult to integratediversified e-Business solutions. The present invention provides atrading partner exchange (TPE) which can communicate with and processinformation received from the various disparate systems. The TPE canassign an internal unique transaction identifier to a consumertransaction. Each trading partner can notify the TPE of its activitiescorresponding to the consumer transaction by utilizing a trading partnerorder identification. The TPE can make an association linking thetrading partner order identification with the internal unique identifierfor the consumer transaction. Actions taken by a trading partnerregarding a particular transaction can be reported to the TPE. The TPEcan interface with an access platform that facilitates access toinformation in the TPE through various communication channels. Acustomer wishing to obtain information from the TPE on a particulartransaction can utilize any of the access channels provided by theplatform. By cross referencing the various trading partner orderidentifications using the internal unique transaction identifier, theTPE can provide or expose the order status at any point throughouttransaction processing chain.

FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram of an exemplary system for creatingand exposing of order status within a supply chain in accordance withthe inventive arrangements. The system includes disparate systemsassociated with trading partners, such as, retailer 15, distributor 20,shippers 25 a, 25 b, 25 c, and manufacturer 30. Typically, a customer 10can be linked to the system though a retailer 15. Each trading partnersystem 15, 20, 25, 30 can be communicatively linked to the TPE 35. TheTPE 35 can have an integrated access interface 40, which permitscommunication with an access platform 45. A customer or a tradingpartner can use, for example, a browser, to query TPE 35 through theaccess interface 43 and display order status information in the browser.

FIG. 2 is a high level block diagram of an exemplary access platform asshown in FIG. 1. The access platform 45 can have a layered architectureand can provide access through the various layers. A first access layer45A can provide access through a web channel 45-1, a wireless channel45-2 and a telephone channel 45-3. The access layer can be programmed tocommunicate using any of a variety of protocols such as wireless accessprotocol (WAP), TCP/IP, protocols necessary for communication throughthe public switched telephone network (PSTN), as well as cellularservices. A second display layer 45B can provide viewing servicesthrough the various channels by providing views such as a consumer view45-4, a retailer view 45-5, a distributor view 45-6, a shipper view 45-7and a manufacturer view 45-8. For example, the display layer 45B canformat status information with suitable markup language for presentationwithin a browser. A third analytical layer 45C can provide services suchas reports 45-9 and analysis 45-10. A fourth customer informationallayer 45D can provide services such as alerts 45-11 and status 45-12.The layers can be arranged in a manner such that only the tradingpartners have access to reports 45-9 and analysis 49-10 through theretailer view, distributor view, shipper view and manufacturer view.This arrangement of the layers can ensure data integrity and security.It should be appreciated that the access platform can exist in variouslayer configurations such that access to various channels can beprovided. Accordingly, the invention is not so limited to the specificembodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary system detailing the creatingand exposing of order status within a supply chain in accordance withthe inventive arrangements. Transactions are typically initiated byrequest from a customer 10 to a trading partner, for example, a retailer15. Other trading partners can include, a distributor 20, a manufacturer30, and shippers 25 (25 a, 25 b, 25 c). Each of the IT systems utilizedby the various trading partners can communicate with the TPE 35.

In operation, a customer 10 can start a transaction by initiating anorder 102 to a retailer 15. Upon initiation of the order 102, theretailer 15 can send an order notification 106 to the TPE 35 using aretailer order identification (RET_ORD_ID). Upon receipt of the ordernotification 106, the TPE 35 can assign a unique identifier (TPE_ORD_ID)to the retailer order identification. The retailer 15 can initiate anorder 104 with a trading partner, for example, manufacturer 30. Themanufacturer 30 can notify the TPE 35 of the order receipt 110 using amanufacturer order identification (MANU_ORD_ID). The MANU_ORD_ID can becoded in such a manner that the associated TPE_ORD_ID can be readilydiscerned. For example, the TPE_ORD_ID can be concatenated to theMANU_ORD_ID. Similarly, any order identification assigned by a tradingpartner can likewise identify the associated TPE_ORD_ID. It should beappreciated that one skilled in the art will recognize that anidentifier can be passed amongst the trading partners and TPE inreference to a particular transaction or order so that reference can bemade to that transaction or order.

Upon receipt of the notification of the order receipt 110, the TPE 35can link the manufacturer order identification with the uniqueidentifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction. Once the manufacturer 30 isready to ship the order, the manufacturer 30 can notify the TPE 35 witha notification of ready to ship status 112 (MANU_RDY_SHP_ORD_ID). Theready to ship status 112 can be linked to the unique identifier(TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction. The trading partner, manufacturer 30,can ship the order 115 to a first shipper 25 a. Once the order has beenshipped, the manufacturer 30 can notify the TPE 35 with a notificationof shipped status 114 (MANU_SHPPD_ORD_ID). The shipped status 114 canalso be linked to the unique identifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for thetransaction.

Upon receipt of the shipment 115, shipper 25 a can notify the TPE 35with a notification receipt status 117 (SHP25 a_RCV_ORD_ID). Thenotification of receipt status 117 can be linked to the uniqueidentifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction. Shipper 25 a can ship 120the order to a second shipper 25 c. Upon shipment, shipper 25 a can senda notification of handoff status 118 (SHP25 a_HNDOFF_ORD_ID) to the TPE35. The notification of handoff status 118 can also be linked to theunique identifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction.

Upon receipt of the shipment 120, shipper 25 c can notify the TPE 35with a notification receipt status 122 (SHP25 c_RCV_ORD_ID). Thenotification of receipt status 122 can be linked to the uniqueidentifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction. Shipper 25 c can deliver125 the order to another trading partner, for example the distributor20. Upon shipment, shipper 25 a can send a notification of deliverystatus 124 (SHP25 c_DLVR_ORD_ID) to the TPE 35. The notification ofdelivery status 124 can also be linked to the unique identifier(TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction.

Upon receipt of the delivery 125, a trading partner, in this casedistributor 20, can notify the TPE 35 with a notification receipt status127 (DIST_RCV_ORD_ID). The notification of receipt status 127 can belinked to the unique identifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction. In oneaspect of the invention, a trading partner, for example, distributor 20,can deliver the order directly to the customer 10. Upon delivery 130 tothe customer 10, the distributor 20 can send a notification of deliverystatus 129 (DIST_DLVR_ORD_ID) to the TPE 35. The delivery status 129notification can be linked to the unique identifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for thetransaction.

Alternately, the distributor 20, can deliver the order 135 to a tradingpartner, for example, retailer 15. Upon delivery 135 to the retailer 15,the distributor 20 can send a notification of delivery status 129(DIST_DLVR_ORD_ID) to the TPE 35. The delivery status notification 129can also be linked to the unique identifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for thetransaction. Upon receipt of the delivery 135, the retailer 15 can senda notification of ready for pickup status 137 (RET_PCKUP_ORD_ID) to theTPE 35. The ready for pickup status notification 139 can be linked tothe unique identifier (TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction. Additionally,the notification of pickup message can be sent to customer 10 via email,fax, telephone call or mail. Once the order has been picked up 141 fromthe retailer 15, the retailer 15 can send a notification 139 of pickedup status (RET_PCKDUP_ORD_ID) to the TPE 35. The picked up statusnotification 139 can also be linked to the unique identifier(TPE_ORD_ID) for the transaction. At this point, all the informationnecessary to track an order as the order moves between the variousdisparate systems of the trading partners is linked to the uniqueidentifier (TPE_ORD_ID) assigned to the transaction by the TPE.

Since all the individual trading partners activities pertaining to theprocessing of a particular transaction can be reported to the TPE, allthis information can be exposed and made available through the accessinterface 40 and access platform 45. Customer 10, for example, can use awireless device, such as a PDA, to access the customer view 45-4 via thewireless channel 45-2. The consumer view 45-4 can allow access only toalerts 45-11 and status 45-12. In another example, distributor 20 canuse a Web browser to access the distributor view 45-6, and access,reports 45-9, analysis 45-10, alerts 45-11 and status 45-12.

In accordance with the inventive arrangements, asynchronous messagingcan be used for communicating between the TPE 35 and the tradingpartners 15, 20, 25 and 30, and the access platform 45. Asynchronousmessaging is the communication of a response message that can be sent ata later, often indeterminate time, and, therefore, lacks immediacy.Hence, the transaction does not occur in the actual time it takes tosend the message. Emails, letters and facsimiles (FAX) are examples ofasynchronous messaging and can generally be used for requests when thereis no immediate urgency. A reply to an email, for example, can be sentdays after a request. While it might be advantageous to utilizeasynchronous messaging as the communications vehicle between the TPE 35and the trading partners 15, 20, 25 and 30, and the access platform 45,the invention is not so limited.

Accordingly, another embodiment of the invention can include synchronousmessaging which is the communication of messages wherein correspondingreplies can occur in the actual time taken to process the message andsend the reply. For example, a customer calling a customer care centerutilizes synchronous communication. Though the customer can be placed ina queue of customers waiting to be served, once the customer isconnected to a customer care agent, the customer request can be handledin realtime.

The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. A method and system for ensuringdata consistency amongst disparate systems according to the presentinvention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computersystem, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spreadacross several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computersystem, or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein, is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware can be a general purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein. Thepresent invention can also be embedded in a computer program product,which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of themethods described herein, and which—when loaded in a computer system isable to carry out these methods.

Computer program or application in the present context means anyexpression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructionsintended to cause a system having an information processing capabilityto perform a particular function either directly or after either or bothof the following a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b)reproduction in a different material form.

1. A system for exposing order status in a supply chain having disparatesystems, comprising: a trading partner exchange communicativelyinterfacing with a plurality of disparate trading partner systems; anaccess platform accessible by customers and trading partners via aplurality different communication channels; and an integrated accessinterface providing an interface between the trading partner exchangeand the access platform; Wherein the trading partner exchange isconfigured to electronically receive an order notification correspondingto an order created by a first trading partner system, the receivedorder notification being associated with a first trading partner systemidentifier, the created order defining a transaction between a customerand a first trading partner, automatically assign a unique transactionidentifier to the transaction responsive to receiving the ordernotification, electronically receive at least one activity notificationof an activity performed by at least a second trading partner system,the at least one activity notification describing an action of a secondtrading partner corresponding to the transaction and being associatedwith a second trading partner system identifier, wherein the firsttrading partner system and the at least second trading partner systemare disparate systems that jointly define a transaction processingchain, automatically associate the unique transaction identifier to thesecond trading partner system identifier responsive to receiving theactivity notification, link the unique transaction identifier to theorder notification and the at least one activity notification and,wherein cross referencing the first and second trading partner systemidentifiers using the unique transaction identifier provides a status ofthe transaction at a point in the transaction processing chain,electronically report status of the transaction via the integratedaccess interface, electronically generate transaction analysisinformation based upon the unique transaction identifier, the ordernotification, and the at least one activity notification, provide thefirst, the second, or another trading partner access to the transactionanalysis information, electronically generate transaction trackinginformation based upon the unique transaction identifier, the ordernotification, and the at least one activity notification, provide accessto the transaction tracking information to the customer who initiatedthe order while denying the customer access to the transaction analysisinformation, format at least one of the transaction analysis informationand the transaction tracking information in response to selecting one ofa plurality of communication channels for conveying information, theformatting corresponding to a particular one of the plurality ofcommunication channels selected.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theaccess platform has a plurality of layers though which access to thetrading partner exchange is provided, the layers including an accesslayer, a display layer, and an analytical layer, wherein the accesslayer provides access through the plurality of different communicationchannels, wherein the display layer provides different views fordifferent types of trading partners, wherein the analytical layerprovides reports, and wherein trading partners using disparate computingsystems are able to access reports of the analytical layer through viewsof the display layer via communication channels of the access layer. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the first trading partner system and thesecond trading partner system are independently developed systems havingdifferent architectures.
 4. The method of claim 1, within the tradingpartner exchange is remotely located from the first trading partnersystem and the second trading partner system.